* Steve and Jim ask you to determine which of their attitudes is accurate
In the last newsletter, we began a discussion of the place of where social networks fit in the business networking that’s the backbone of most workplaces today? In that newsletter, we looked at just a few of the myriad benefits that social nets bring. In this newsletter, we’ll respond to ourselves.
In the last newsletter, we began a discussion of the place of where social networks fit in the business networking that’s the backbone of most workplaces today? In that newsletter, we looked at just a few of the myriad benefits that social networks bring. In this newsletter, we’ll respond to ourselves.
12 tips for safe social networking.
In particular, we’d like to point out that Jim and Steve are no more than nattering nabobs of networking nonsense. Obviously, their view of social networking in the workplace is nothing more than a way to help their buddies who make networking equipment and services sell more.
The key is that when you work, you work. And when you socialize, you socialize. Moving this to an electronic realm takes us to what would be the equivalent of having a sock-hop in the cafeteria every afternoon at 3 p.m.
But let’s address their/our three examples from last week directly. They began by quoting Cisco CTO Padmasree Warrior’s assertion that Twitter helped her get ideas from her workgroup and that the feedback was quite helpful. What they neglected to point out was that later in the same interview she also stated, “Yeah, I share personal things about movies I’ve seen, books I’m reading, what I’m doing at the moment.” So we checked out what Padmasree was up to recently. One tweet was obviously good for business. “Cisco forsees Video-Chat for Televisions” But it was right alongside a tweet saying “Saw a roadside sign for “Steakhouse+Laundromat” – Rural Americana.” And the business purpose is? (Obviously the business purpose is that Padmasree is becoming a networking rockstar with over 700,000 followers.)
On to Facebook… Yeah, Facebook is a lot of fun, and a great way to connect with people. But if Jim and Steve think it’s within the corporate mission to provide a “virtual water-cooler,” then they’re way out in left field. People who are telecommuting already have a pretty good life – and a family around and dogs to walk at their leisure. They don’t need yet another excuse not to work.
And LinkedIn? Obviously a great way to connect with coworkers and especially former coworkers. And probably also the world’s greatest way to look for another, better job on company time.
So let us know what you think. Which of the Jim and Steve attitudes are correct?
One of the best ways to provide feedback is to respond to their current research on the topic. We’ll be bringing you some snippets from the survey in later newsletters.
